UNCs Butch Davis thinks ahead

[SouthernJet]

Casey Barth gets carried away -- by Tar Heel teammates

Associated Press

Published: Wednesday, October 15, 2008 at 4:51 p.m.

Last Modified: Wednesday, October 15, 2008 at 5:29 p.m.

Photo courtesy UNC-Chapel Hill

Casey Barth got the same treatment at North Carolina that his big brother once enjoyed.

Casey Barth tied a school record for freshmen with three field goals in the 29-24 victory over Notre Dame, hitting from 41, 32 and 42 yards.

Connor Barth became a celebrity as a freshman in 2004 when he was carried off the field on his teammates’ shoulders following a 42-yard field goal at the buzzer that beat then-No. 4 Miami.

The Tar Heels did the same thing for Casey during their final workout before last week’s Notre Dame game – and it worked.

The younger Barth tied a school record for freshmen with three field goals in the 29-24 victory, hitting from 41, 32 and 42 yards. His 52-yard try as the first half ended was on line but fell just short.

“We ended Friday’s practice with him going out and making the game-winning field goal and the whole team going out and picking him up on their shoulders and carrying him off the field,” coach Butch Davis said. “I think that certainly lessened the stress and the pressure on him. ... (Kicking is) all or nothing, kind of like being a pinch-hitter in baseball – you don’t play, you don’t play, and all of a sudden, not only do we need you for this, we need a miracle. We need you to go do this. Kickers have a tougher job than a lot of people give them credit for.”